Molecular pathogenesis and prognostication of "low-grade'' and "high-grade" endometrial stromal sarcoma

Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2021 Mar;60(3):160-167. doi: 10.1002/gcc.22907. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Abstract

Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) are a heterogeneous group of rare mesenchymal cancers. Considerable knowledge has been gained in recent years about the molecular characteristics of these cancers, which helps to classify them in a more meaningful manner leading to improved diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment. According to this classification, ESS is now grouped as low- or high-grade. ESS may have overlapping clinical presentation, morphology, and immunohistochemical profile. Their genetic characteristics allow subdivision of many of them depending on which pathogenetically important fusion genes they carry, but clearly much more needs to be unraveled in this regard. We here provide an overview of the molecular pathogenetic knowledge gained so far on low- and high-grade ESS.

Keywords: chromosomal aberrations; endometrial stromal sarcoma; fusion gene; high-grade ESS; low-grade ESS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / metabolism
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / pathology*